若
若·young
- On-yomi
- ジャク
- Kun-yomi
- わかい
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 若い | わかい | young |
| 若者 | わかもの | young person, youth |
| 若さ | わかさ | youthfulness |
| 若手 | わかて | a young member, up-and-comer |
Example sentences
祖父は今でも若く見えます。
そふはいまでもわかくみえます。
My grandfather still looks young.
この店は若者に人気があります。
このみせはわかものににんきがあります。
This shop is popular with young people.
若いうちにいろいろ経験したい。
わかいうちにいろいろけいけんしたい。
I want to experience a lot while I'm young.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Reading 若者 as *じゃくしゃ instead of わかもの
- Using 若い for objects — for a new thing you want 新しい
Memory aid
Picture it
艹 (grass) over 右 (right hand) — fresh young shoots small enough to pick with one hand.
Vocabulary using this kanji
- 若いわかいyoung
- 若々しいわかわかしいyouthful
- 若しくはもしくはor (alternatively)
- 若干じゃっかんsome; a few; slightly
- 泰然自若たいぜんじじゃくcalm and composed
- 若しかしてもしかしてby any chance; perhaps; possibly; could it be that
- 若しももしもif (ever); supposing that; in the unlikely event that
- 若しもしif; in case; supposing
- 若しかするともしかするとperhaps; maybe; possibly
- 若しかしたらもしかしたらperhaps; maybe; by some chance
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 2 of 5
What does the kanji 若 mean?